Can PARs be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act and UETA where adopted, provided the signature shows intent, consent, attribution, and the record can be retained and reproduced. Confirm any industry-specific rules before using eSignatures for sensitive records.

When is notarization required?

Most PARs do not require notarization, but if a state law or counterparty demands a notarized attestation for certain transactions, follow state notary rules and consider RON where permitted.

How long must I keep signed PARs?

Retention depends on the record type and regulator: many financial records should be kept at least three years for IRS purposes, while some industry rules or contracts require longer retention; firm policy should reflect the longest applicable period.

How do I correct errors after signing?

If an executed PAR contains an error, create a written amendment or replacement document that references the original version and captures approver signatures; avoid manual edits to signed PDFs without a documented amendment process.

Who may sign a PAR on behalf of an entity?

Signers must have explicit authority—officers, delegated signatories, or authorized agents. Maintain documentation of delegated authority in corporate records to support signer attribution.

What supporting documents should accompany a PAR?

Attach trade confirmations, custody statements, pricing sources, and reconciliation spreadsheets so reviewers can validate calculations without additional requests and to minimize audit friction.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Finance
Financial ADV PARs

Financial ADV PARs

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

FINANCIAL ADV PERFORMANCE & ACCOUNT REVIEW (PARs)

Advisory Firm: Client Name:

Client Account Number: Reporting Period: From to

Advisory Firm Information

Firm Address Primary Contact

Phone

Email

Regulatory/CRD No.

Account Summary & Performance

The table below presents account-level beginning and ending values, net flows, realized/unrealized gains or losses and the net rate of return. Performance figures are presented net of advisory fees unless otherwise noted.

Account / Strategy	Beginning Value	Contributions / Withdrawals	Ending Value	Net Gain / (Loss)	Rate of Return

Additional Accounts / Notes

Fee Summary

Management / Advisory Fees (period)
Transaction Costs & Trading Fees
Other Fees (custody, third-party)
Total Fees Charged

Performance Methodology & Disclosures

Performance figures in this report are calculated in accordance with the firm’s stated methodology. Where noted, returns are net of advisory fees and include realized and unrealized gains and losses. Cash flows are accounted for on a time-weighted basis unless otherwise indicated. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Calculation Methodology (state specifics if different from standard) Material Disclosures and Exceptions

Reconcilation, Custody & Attestations

The advisory firm attests that account values presented are derived from the custodian’s statements or reconciled third-party reports. The client should retain custodian statements for verification. Any material variance between firm records and custodian statements must be reported within 30 days of receipt of this PAR.

Custody & Reconciliation Custody held by independent custodian
Accounts reconciled to custodian statements for the reporting period

Material Changes Since Last Report Yes No

Certifications & Limitations of Liability

By signing below, the undersigned client acknowledges receipt of this Financial ADV Performance & Account Review (PAR) for the reporting period specified above and confirms that the client has reviewed custodial statements for the same period. The advisory firm certifies that, to the best of its knowledge, the information in this report fairly represents account activity and performance for the period and is prepared in accordance with the firm’s stated methodology.

This report is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any security. The firm disclaims liability for clerical errors, data feed interruptions, or any losses arising from reliance on third-party data, except to the extent such liability cannot be disclaimed by law. Any disputes regarding the content of this report will be resolved in accordance with the advisory agreement between the parties.

Client Comments (optional)

Client Acknowledgment and Signature

Printed Name:

Date:

Signature:

Title / Relationship:

What Financial ADV PARs Are and why they matter

Financial ADV PARs are formal financial reporting documents used by advisory firms to record portfolio allocation decisions, advisor-level adjustments, and supporting calculations provided to clients, auditors, or internal compliance teams. They typically combine a cover sheet, transaction or allocation schedules, valuation methodology, and signatory attestations. Accurate PARs support auditability, strengthen fiduciary disclosure, and form part of a firm's permanent financial record. Electronic completion and eSignature are common; correct metadata, version control, and complete supporting exhibits are essential to maintain defensible records.

Primary purpose and advantages of using Financial ADV PARs

Financial ADV PARs create a single, auditable record of allocation decisions, valuation bases, and approvals. They reduce ambiguity between portfolio managers, compliance officers, and clients; improve consistency in reporting; and make it easier to produce documentation for internal reviews or external examinations.

Typical creators and recipients of Financial ADV PARs

Organizations and roles commonly responsible for preparing, approving, or receiving PARs include internal and external stakeholders across advisory firms.

Registered investment advisers — portfolio teams draft allocations, compliance reviews signatures and disclosures.
Wealth management firms — client service teams deliver PARs to investors and reconcile client accounts.
Asset managers and CFOs — finance approves valuation methods and maintains the official record.

Precision and consistent routing — who prepares, who approves, and who receives a PAR — reduces processing delays and strengthens the audit trail.

Core signatory roles

Portfolio Manager

Typically prepares allocation schedules, documents valuation assumptions, and signs attesting to investment decisions; often provides the primary narrative explaining allocation rationale and exceptions for auditors and clients.

Compliance Officer

Reviews and approves the PAR for regulatory consistency, confirms disclosures are present, and retains a signed copy in the compliance file to demonstrate supervisory oversight and policy adherence.

Essential sections to include in a professional Financial ADV PARs package

A complete PAR package organizes data and narrative so auditors and clients can reconcile allocations quickly; include a clear table of contents and version note on every page.

Cover Sheet

Identifies the firm, client or account, preparer, effective date, reporting period, and a version identifier so readers can confirm they have the authoritative copy.

Allocation Schedule

Shows line-by-line allocations, gross and net amounts, percentage splits, and references to the underlying trades or adjustments for transparency and audit reconciliation.

Valuation Basis

Describes the valuation methodology, pricing sources, time of valuation, and any judgment calls or model inputs that materially affect reported values.

Supporting Exhibits

Attach trade confirmations, statements, spreadsheets, and reconciliation worksheets so reviewers can verify source data and calculations without additional requests.

Signatory Attestation

Contain signature blocks for preparer, reviewer, and approver with printed names, titles, dates, and a brief attestation statement about accuracy and compliance.

Version Control

Include change history, revision date, and a reason for amendment to avoid multiple competing copies and to preserve a clear audit trail.

Step-by-step process to complete a Financial ADV PARs

Follow a disciplined sequence to populate, verify, approve, and archive the PAR to ensure audit readiness and reduce back-and-forth corrections.

01

Prepare Document: Load the latest template and populate header fields and reporting period.
02

Populate Schedules: Enter allocations, supporting calculations, and attach exhibits or spreadsheets.
03

Review and Approve: Compliance and finance review for policy and valuation consistency; approver signs.
04

Archive and Distribute: Save the signed record in the retention repository and distribute copies to stakeholders.

How eSubmission and routing typically flow for a PAR

An established eSubmission workflow reduces errors and creates a timestamped audit trail that supports both internal and external reviews.

Draft: Preparer populates the PAR and attaches source files.
Authenticate: Signers authenticate per the firm's chosen method (email, SMS, or stronger options).
Sign: Approvals and attestations captured as electronic signatures with timestamps.
Store: Signed PAR and audit evidence retained in secure records with version control.

Typical digital workflow settings for PARs

Configure templates and routing so each PAR instance enforces required fields and signer order to reduce manual intervention.

Field \| Setting	Configuration
Signer Authentication	Email + optional SMS code for signer verification
Conditional Fields	Show valuation notes only when manual pricing is selected
Template Locking	Lock headers and formulas to prevent accidental edits
Delivery Receipts	Enable automatic emailed copies to compliance and client

Technical considerations for eSigning and storage

Choose formats, authentication, and integrations that align with your security and audit requirements.

Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and structured Excel support for calculations
Integrations: Connectors to CRM, ERP, and cloud storage enable automated routing
Authentication Options: Email, SMS, KBA, or enterprise SSO for signer identity

Ensure your chosen platform can produce tamper-evident signed PDFs, retain a detailed audit trail, and integrate with your records management system for long-term retention.

Common eSignature vendor comparison for PAR workflows

Select an eSignature vendor based on security, required features, and pricing model; signNow is listed first for easy comparison across common plan criteria.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial, no credit card	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Key security and compliance controls to protect PARs

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO support

Audit Trail: Timestamped logs with IP and action history

HIPAA BAA: BAA available where required for PHI handling

Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 available

Authentication: Multi-factor and enterprise SAML/SO options

Principal risks and potential consequences of defective PARs

Regulatory Inquiry: Incomplete or inconsistent PARs can trigger examinations and document requests

Audit Findings: Missing evidence or poor version control can lead to negative audit conclusions

Client Disputes: Ambiguous allocations increase the likelihood of client challenges or restitution claims

Operational Delays: Incorrect fields or missing approvals cause processing backlogs

Data Exposure: Insufficient controls increase breach risk and possible notification obligations

Document Invalidity: Improper execution methods may render the PAR unenforceable

Common preparation and submission pitfalls to avoid

Missing signatures or missing approver dates that force re-circulation and increase audit risk.
Inconsistent numbers between schedules and summaries that demand manual reconciliation by reviewers.
Poor versioning that results in multiple competing copies and confusion over the authoritative record.
Insufficient supporting exhibits attached, leading to repeated document requests and delayed approvals.

Practical use cases showing where PARs add value

Two brief scenarios illustrate how PARs commonly support operational and compliance objectives in financial firms.

Wealth Management Scenario

A mid-size wealth manager prepares quarterly PARs describing rebalancing and allocation rationale

The compliance team attaches custody statements for verification
The signed PAR shortens dispute resolution time and provides a clear audit trail for client inquiries.

Asset Manager Scenario

An asset manager documents performance allocations for fee calculations

Finance reconciles allocations to trade blotters and NAVs
The combined PAR and supporting exhibits satisfy internal audit and external reviewer requests without repeated follow-ups.

Practical guidance to reduce errors and speed approvals

Adopting consistent practices across templates and teams materially reduces rework and strengthens the defensibility of PARs.

Use Standardized Templates

Maintain a single approved template per report type with locked headers, predefined fields, and automated totals to prevent manual errors and enable easier review.

Validate Identifiers

Confirm account numbers, tax IDs, and portfolio identifiers against custody and client records before routing to avoid reconciliation delays.

Enforce Signer Order

Require preparer, reviewer, and approver signatures in sequence to ensure each step of the control chain is completed before distribution.

Retain Complete Audit Evidence

Keep signed PDFs, attached exhibits, and an immutable audit trail together to support examinations and to reduce regulatory request turnaround time.

Frequently asked questions about Financial ADV PARs

Answers to the most common questions about execution, eSigning, notarization, retention, and correcting PARs are provided below.

Need help? Contact support

Can PARs be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act and UETA where adopted, provided the signature shows intent, consent, attribution, and the record can be retained and reproduced. Confirm any industry-specific rules before using eSignatures for sensitive records.
When is notarization required?
Most PARs do not require notarization, but if a state law or counterparty demands a notarized attestation for certain transactions, follow state notary rules and consider RON where permitted.
How long must I keep signed PARs?
Retention depends on the record type and regulator: many financial records should be kept at least three years for IRS purposes, while some industry rules or contracts require longer retention; firm policy should reflect the longest applicable period.
How do I correct errors after signing?
If an executed PAR contains an error, create a written amendment or replacement document that references the original version and captures approver signatures; avoid manual edits to signed PDFs without a documented amendment process.
Who may sign a PAR on behalf of an entity?
Signers must have explicit authority—officers, delegated signatories, or authorized agents. Maintain documentation of delegated authority in corporate records to support signer attribution.
What supporting documents should accompany a PAR?
Attach trade confirmations, custody statements, pricing sources, and reconciliation spreadsheets so reviewers can validate calculations without additional requests and to minimize audit friction.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now